For most of us, the wonderful world of trampolining will always be something that we do as a fun birthday activity or perhaps a way of keeping more fit and active as we get older. But for others who really can’t get enough of spending time at their local Shrewsbury trampoline centre, it becomes something more than an enjoyable pastime… it becomes a career option.

Did you know that trampolining was an Olympic sport? Well, it is – and it’s absolutely incredible to watch. Like any other sport, however, it takes a serious amount of determination and commitment to get to the very top… and if that sounds like you, then it’s entirely possible that you could see yourself at the Olympics in the future.

But where on earth do you begin with your new career aspirations? First of all, head off to your local trampoline park and see what bouncing skills you have. Definitely don’t try to run before you can walk – you need to begin with the most basic of bounces and the simpler techniques before you can attempt the harder stuff.

Before you move onto something more difficult, make sure you have the basics down flawlessly as these will form the foundations for your skill as a trampolinist.

Also make sure, as much fun as bouncing about is, that you’re engaging in a varied workout and training routine, including both weights and cardio with a specific emphasis on your core strength, thighs and calves. Strengthening your dynamic core will also prove useful, so try and do exercises that focus on this as well.

Don’t neglect your diet, either. You won’t bounce very high or very far if you have a diet that consists primarily of processed food that is high in sugar. It’s all about devising a diet that hits all the major food groups and makes sure you’re getting all the protein and nutrients you need in order to help you build strength – and maintain it.

You might find it useful to download an app like My Fitness Pal so you can set up a food diary and see what you’re eating each day – and how healthy it is. You can also set yourself goals for calorie intake, weight loss and more, so it just depends on what your goals are week in, week out.

You’ll also need to eventually find yourself a trainer to help you get ready for your first competition. This will really help to keep you motivated, but definitely be prepared to work hard. From there, you can start thinking about competing in the sport… and hopefully, before you know it, you’ll be at the Olympics winning gold!